Anaheim center makes room for Nativity retelling

Pastor Arturo Querijero, right, leads the procession of pilgrim carolers during the Posada Navidena celebration at the Anaheim Marketplace Sunday. The day's events also included free tamales and entertainment for visitors. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM – There were few “ho ho hos” and not much mistletoe at this Christmas celebration. St. Nick himself didn’t show up, but all was well because the main characters of the holiday festivities at the Anaheim Indoor Marketplace were Mary and Joseph.

An estimated 500 people Sunday attended the marketplace’s annual Posada Navidena, the celebration commemorating Mary and Joseph's search for lodging before the birth of Jesus. The word posada means “inn” or “shelter” in Spanish.

Though a Christmas celebration, the event was full of Mexican cultural tradition, including mariachi music performances, folk dances and the smashing of giant piñata. Held outdoors behind the shopping center, the venue included inflatable carnival games, face painting and clowns throughout the afternoon.

Adults and children of all ages enjoyed entertainment in Spanish and complimentary food before the headline procession re-enacting the Holy Family’s search for shelter.

“Some people don’t know this story,” Richard Lazarit, of Santa Ana, said in Spanish. Lazarit, 56, performs religious stories with an acting group throughout Orange County. Dressed in an indigenous costume of white pants and shirt, he and his group sang Sunday in honor of Mary.

“For me it’s very important to expose our history and tradition.”

Before the festivities, there was a traditional Sunday Mass in a large room inside the marketplace. After the Mass, attendees walked, with the children playing the parts of Mary and Joseph, to the door leading to the tables, chairs and stage set up outside.

While standing at the door leading outside, they all sang. During this song, procession-goers traditionally sing the part of Joseph asking for shelter. People on the opposite side respond as the innkeeper saying that there is no room. The song switches back and forth until finally the innkeeper decides to let in Mary and Joseph.

When the procession goers were “let in,” they joined the rest of the audience in the outdoor seating area to continue the celebration.

The tradition of the procession and song was begun by Spanish evangelists to teach the Christmas story to the indigenous people in Mexico. Today, posada processions are popularly organized by churches and groups of families and friends.

Yvette Ochoa, the marketplace’s marketing coordinator, said the Posada Navidena is one of the center’s most important events of the year because of its appeal to diverse segments of the community. The event was sponsored by the marketplace.

“Our clientele is, like, 90 percent Hispanic,” Ochoa said. “That’s why we like to do events like this because this is what they celebrate. We always look forward to these events.”

The vendors inside the marketplace stayed open, and guests were free to shop. Some vendors provided coupons for holiday discounts to the crowd.

For many in the crowd, the celebration was about food and fun games, but for others the emphasis was on the story of Jesus and importance of sharing it.

“It’s the tradition telling about the Virgin Mary and the Nativity,” Alejandra Garcia, 45, said in Spanish.

Garcia was dressed in old indigenous-style clothing for the occasion: a long skirt with a scenic desert image and a white puffy blouse.

“This is our tradition and our chance to participate in it with our culture.”

Pastor Arturo Querijero, right, leads the procession of pilgrim carolers during the Posada Navidena celebration at the Anaheim Marketplace Sunday. The day's events also included free tamales and entertainment for visitors. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A procession of pilgrim carolers sings during the Posada Navidena celebration at the Anaheim Marketplace. The day's events also included free tamales and entertainment for visitors. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Mexican folk dancers perform as part of the free entertainment during the Posada Navidena celebration at the Anaheim Marketplace. The day's events also included free tamales and a procession of pilgrim carolers. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Visitors line up for free tamales during the Posada Navidena celebration at the Anaheim Marketplace. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Mexican folk dancers check out their photos on an iPad tablet during the Posada Navidena celebration at the Anaheim Marketplace. The day's events also included free tamales and a procession of pilgrim carolers. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Visitors watch the free entertainment during the Posada Navidena celebration at the Anaheim Marketplace. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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